England’s experienced fast bowler, James Anderson, is back in action for the second Test in the ongoing five-match series against India.
England team has made two changes to their playing XI for the upcoming Test match against India which is scheduled to be played in Vizag. Notably, James Anderson approaches a historic milestone, just 10 wickets away from the remarkable 700-wicket mark in Test cricket. The seasoned pacer currently ranks third in Test history, boasting 690 wickets from 183 matches at a respectable average of 26.42.
Anderson’s prowess extends to India, where he has claimed 34 wickets in 13 Tests. His significant role in England’s 2012 Test series victory in India is well-remembered. In the 2021 tour, he impressed with eight wickets at an average of 15.88.
In the previous Hyderabad Test, Mark Wood, known for his express pace, was the sole pacer but struggled to make an impact. Consequently, James Anderson steps in to bolster the bowling attack.
Unfortunately, left-arm spinner Jack Leach won’t be available due to a knee injury sustained in the series opener. This paves the way for 20-year-old spinner Shoaib Bashir to make his Test debut in Visakhapatnam, taking Leach’s spot. Despite Bashir’s first-class record of 10 wickets in six matches with an average of 67, including a best of 3/67, the young player also brings lower-order batting skills to the table. Bashir joined the squad after securing travel clearance to India.
Despite his average performance in the first Test match, Rehan Ahmed held onto his position in the lineup. Tom Hartley played a vital role in England’s Test victory, showcasing impressive figures of 7 for 62 in the second innings. The English team opted to go with three inexperienced spinners in the field.
On the other hand, the Indian players are dealing with many injuries, the Indian team management faces a formidable challenge in determining their playing lineup for the upcoming second Test. The match is scheduled to take place at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, kicking off on Friday, February 2nd.
England’s playing XI For Second Test vs India:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, and James Anderson
